His comeback after running off the course at the 2014 UCI World Championships to win silver

Greatest Moment

A one-on-one conversation with cyclist Simon Gerrans about cycling and winning big races

Bio

At 24-years-old Stuart Tripp was involved in a car accident that changed his life. In October 1994, Stuart was driving when his car flew of a bend on a country road and finished wrapped around a tree.

After weeks in a coma, he woke to discover the results of his accident; head trauma, crushed legs, kidney failure and a memory of black holes, and finally, the loss of his right leg. The months following the accident saw him in confinement, indescribably physical and mental anguish, having undergone so many operations.

Once settled back into his new life, Stuart found himself with depression. He was overweight, had started drinking and smoking, and it was only when he was introduced to sport, that he was able to transform his life for the better.

Stuart initially took up swimming to manage his anxiety and depression, but in 2003, a friend introduced him to handcycling and so he began channeling all of his positive energy into his newly chosen sport. Soon enough, he started competing in local events before going to the State Championships and was then invited to join the Australian team.

Having become a Paralympian, Stuart has surpassed all of his expectations of his career in sport. In his first Paralympic Games at London, Stuart finished both of his races in the top 10 and while attending the Games was an incredible experience for him, he describes his podium finish at the 2014 UCI World Championships as his career highlight so far. While winning silver was a moment to be proud of, it is the comeback he made after running off the course that made it so successful. Stuart lost a full 40 seconds after running off course, and knows that with the difference of time, he could and should have won gold.

Heading into his second Paralympic Games, Stuart is confident that he has the ability to make Rio 2016 his career highlight and hopes to come home with multiple medals.

While training, Stuart looks up to two-time Australian National Road Race Champion Simon Gerrans to keep him motivated. He says that a conversation the two had about their mutual love of cycling and winning is by far his greatest moment.

A jack of all trades, Stuart is a qualified plumber and also has degrees in science and adult learning and development. He also wrote his own book about his struggles and his journey through life which was published in 2007. He focuses on the importance of the journey rather than the destination, and highlights writing as an outlet for recovery.

To prepare himself for a day of competition, Stuart listens to his wedding playlist on the way there, citing his wife as the most influential person in his life. His ultimate goal is simple yet inspring – to win.